Chapter 15 - The Fall of the King
The Bluetooth speaker in Daniel's pocket answered the call automatically before he could scramble to disconnect it. Vanessa’s shrill, panicked voice echoed loudly into the quiet garden.
"Daniel, where are you? Did she sign the company transfer yet? My brother just called from the bank, he says the insurance payment for the kids is frozen. The police are asking questions!"
Daniel stared at me, his face draining of all color. He frantically jammed his hand into his pocket to kill the call, but it was too late. The words hung in the air, a massive, undeniable admission of their conspiracy.
He looked at me, truly seeing me for the first time. For the first time in our entire twelve-year relationship, he understood that he had targeted the wrong woman.
Daniel turned and ran.
He made it exactly six steps toward the garden gates before the heavy wooden doors burst open. The two detectives sprinted through, followed by three uniformed officers. They tackled him to the manicured lawn, driving his face hard into the grass.
"Get off me! You can’t arrest me!" Daniel shouted, thrashing wildly as they forced his arms behind his back. "She’s insane! She's making this up!"
The lead detective yanked Daniel's arms up, the metal cuffs snapping shut with a satisfying, final click.
"Daniel Mercer," the detective announced, his voice booming across the garden, "you are under arrest for two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy, massive insurance fraud, evidence tampering, and aggravated assault."
Daniel was hauled to his feet. He looked back at me, his expensive clothes stained with dirt, his ego completely shattered.
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"You planned this," he breathed, terrified.
"No, Daniel," I said softly, stepping back toward the clinic doors. "You did."
